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amphiscians

[am-fish-ee-uh nz, -fish-uh nz]
plural noun Archaic.
  1. inhabitants of the tropics.
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Also am·phis·ci·i [am-fish-ee-ahy] /æmˈfɪʃ iˌaɪ/.

Origin of amphiscians

1615–25; < Medieval Latin Amphisci(ī) (< Greek amphískioi, plural of amphískios (adj.) casting a shadow both ways, equivalent to amphi- amphi- + skí(a) shadow + -os adj. suffix) + -ans, plural of -an
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for amphiscians

Amphiscians

n.

1620s, from Medieval Latin Amphiscii, from Greek amphiskioi "inhabitants of the tropics," literally "throwing a shadow both ways," from amphi- "on both sides" (see amphi-) + skia "shadow" (see shine (v.)). Inhabitants of torrid zones, so called because they are "people whose shadow is sometimes to the North, and sometimes to the South" [Cockerham, 1623].

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper